The Ballot Designation refers to your current occupation, vocation, profession, or incumbency status. You may list more than one profession, occupation, or vocation, but you must separate them with a slash: Professor/Mother/Doctor.
You are limited to three words. The exception is that an elected official can use the exact title of the office currently held: Director, ABC Fire Protection District.
Note: If you choose words that are very long they may be printed in a smaller font size.
If you decide to use a ballot designation you must fill out a Ballot Designation Worksheet and file it with your candidate papers by the deadline.
California state law requires that your designation describes your current occupation, profession, vocation, or what you did for a living during the 12 months before the filing deadline. The words you choose must be generic and neutral, but accurate and not misleading. (Election Code § 13107).
Primary election candidates, your ballot designation will be the same for both primary and general elections (if applicable), unless at least 98 days before the general election, you request in writing a different designation which you are entitled to use at the time of the request.
- Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates
- If you are an incumbent, you may use
- Your elected title, even if the title has more than 3 words.
Example: Board Member, ABC School District
- Your elected position and your other occupation or vocation if using 3 words or less.
Example: Board Member/Teacher
- The word Incumbent (no other words allowed) if you are filing for the same office you hold now.
Only local candidates do not have to justify the use of the word incumbent or appointed incumbent. You may simply write “current officeholder” in the justification sections or leave it blank. The election staff will stamp as confirmed.
- If you are an appointed incumbent, you may use
- The words Appointed Incumbent (no other words allowed) if you are running for the same office you hold now. Judicial candidates having been appointed to a judicial seat are not required to use this designation and can use Incumbent instead.
- The word Appointedalong with your current elected position and the jurisdiction (Appointed Board Member, ABC School District), or the word Appointed along with your current elected position and another designation (Appointed Trustee/Mother).
- You may use the words community volunteer if
Admin. Code §20714.5
- You are substantially involved as a community volunteer with bona fide organizations;
- You do not have another principal occupation or vocation; and
- You do not add any other words to describe another occupation or vocation.
- You may use the word retired if
Admin. Code §20716(h)(1)
- You are 55 or older, and worked at your last job or vocation for more than 5 years and left voluntarily;
- A principal source of your income is from a retirement plan or retirement benefits (or you are eligible to receive retirement benefits);
- You cannot use retired if you have had more recent professions, occupations, or vocations; and
- You cannot abbreviate it or place it with another designation.
- Request for supporting documents
Admin. Code §20717
Candidates are responsible for providing thorough and accurate information. The Elections Department or Secretary of State may request supporting documentation or evidence supporting a candidate’s proposed ballot designation. It is important to accurately complete the worksheet with as much information as you can provide.
- Rejection of ballot designations
Election Code §13107.5
Each designation is evaluated based on guidelines and restrictions stated in the Elections Code. Designations will be determined given a candidate’s individual circumstance.
The Secretary of State’s office administers rules and procedures for State and Federal candidates. The worksheet must be fully completed, otherwise it will be rejected and returned by the State.
Candidates are given an opportunity to make a correction. If you do not provide an acceptable alternative designation by the deadline, no ballot designation will be listed after your name.
- Some words are not allowed
The following list contains certain designations that are deemed generally not acceptable; however this is only a partial listing.
Do not use words that
- Evaluate:
- Examples: outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, eminent, best, exalted, prominent, activist, reformer, pro, anti.
- Suggest status and not your occupation:
- Examples: taxpayer, patriot, citizen, renter, presidential appointee, husband, wife, scholar, veteran, concerned citizen, activist
- Suggest a religious or ethnic group:
- Examples: Asian, Christian, Irish
- Suggest a political party or ideology:
- Examples: Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Socialism, Absolutism, Anarchist
- Pro Forma positions or vocations:
- Examples: honorary, hostess, goodwill ambassador (see CA Admin. Code 20716)
- Suggest previous occupations:
- Examples: former, ex-, past. You may be able to use retired. (see Rules for specific types of ballot designations and candidates above.)
- Name a company, agency or person:
- Examples: Instead of: IBM President, use: Computer Corporation President
Instead of: Director, DMV, use: State Agency Director
- Mislead:
- Examples: An occasional activity, hobby, or position that takes up little of your time. You may have to give proof to support the accuracy of your designation.
- Rejection Exceptions
There may be exceptions to the rejection of a designation. Certain designations may be considered depending on the circumstance of each candidate, even if it does not describe a significant involvement on the part of the candidate. Exceptions must be approved by the elections official, with additional clarification of the California Administrative Code.